Samsung plans to make all of its products IoT ready by 2020

Samsung today announced plans to make all of its products Internet of Things (IoT) ready by 2020, utilising an open platform to improve user experience.

IoT is a catch all phrase often used to refer to internet-enabled devices that haven’t traditionally had network connectivity. For example, smart lightbulbs that can be controlled with your phone, or a refrigerator that can track and report its contents.

“At Samsung, we believe IoT should be as easy as flipping a switch. With the new products and services announced today, we’re making IoT easier and more seamless,” said Hyunsuk (HS) Kim, President, Head of Samsung’s Consumer Electronics Division and Samsung Research. “We’re committed to accelerating IoT adoption for everyone and making all Samsung connected devices intelligent by 2020. These advancements will help consumers realize the benefits of a seamless and simple connected life.”

Samsung says that a fragmented IoT ecosystem is a barrier to adoption. To solve this, in 2018 Samsung will unite its IoT apps including Samsung Connect, Smart Home, Smart View and others into the SmartThings app, allowing users to control any SmartThings enabled device from their phone, or TV using a single app. The HARMAN Ignite platform for automobiles will also fall under this unified system, allowing users to manage their home devices from their car. Bixby, Samsung’s assistant service, will also make its way to select smart TVs and refrigerators to make tasks easier.

Starting this year, Samsung TVs are intended to serve as the hub of the smart home, allowing other devices to be controlled from it. The Family Hub enabled refrigerators will offer features including food tracking, enabling easier meal preparation, as well as voice recognition to display personalised news and information like calendar updates.

Samsung also intends to make devices from different brands compatible through the Open Connectivity Foundation, which is comprised of 397 members. The idea is that all of your devices will connect together under a single service instead of several different independent platforms, and be controlled via a single application.